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NIOSH Programs > Surveillance > Program Description SurveillanceProgram DescriptionWhat Is Surveillance?Public health surveillance is the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practices, closely integrated with the timely dissemination of these data to those who need to know. The final link in the surveillance chain requires the application of these data to prevention and control. A surveillance system includes a functional capacity for data collection, analysis, and dissemination linked to public health programs. NIOSH SurveillanceTracking occupational injuries, illnesses, and hazards has been an integral part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) since its creation by the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970. In collaboration with its many partners, NIOSH has established surveillance programs to help describe the magnitude of occupational hazards, diseases, and injuries in the United States. These surveillance activities document the nation's progress in reducing the burden of work-related diseases and injuries. They have also identified many old and new problems that require additional research and prevention efforts. Despite these accomplishments, occupational health surveillance in the United States remains fragmented, with substantial data gaps. Data and information derived from surveillance can be used to:
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NIOSH Program:Surveillance |
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